Botany and Ormiston Times : Botany and Ormiston Times Thursday March 24 2016

Contents

New Showhome Now Open!
(09) 238 7777
www.platinumhomes.co.nz
We’re local builders using NZ companies
to build for the rural Kiwi just like you...
Showhomes
6 Twomey Drive, Pukekohe
24 Mark Ball Drive, Pokeno
Phone 09 296 0177
or 09 238 7777
Anew showhome in Pukekohe is
all set to dazzle with a touch of
Platinum.
Built by award-winning build-
ers Platinum Homes, the Downton
showhome launched just this month
combining contemporary home
design with an elegant classic style.
The heart of the Franklin ward,
Pukekohe has become the ideal
destination for Aucklanders looking
for a bigger backyard and a rural
lifestyle that is still close enough to
enjoy the urban benefits of the city.
Equipped with all necessary infra-
structure as well as quality schools,
this semi-rural township has easy
access to picturesque beaches,
parks and rugged nature.
Up and coming Pokeno is just a
stone’s throw away from Pukekohe,
offering quick access to the motor-
way and moving forward with a raft
of new developments.
Add to the equation a top notch
home built by Platinum Homes, and
the decision is simple.
Offering house and land pack-
ages from $650,000 in Pokeno and
Pukekohe from $800,000, Platinum
Hoomes has options to suit a wide
range of budgets.
A true masterpiece to behold, the
Downton showhome has all the best
materials, styles and designs on
display providing inspiration for pro-
spective home owners.
A grand double-door entrance
leads visitors down a comfortable
foyer, immediately creating a wel-
coming impression.
The expansive floor plan encom-
passes five double bedrooms –
including a self-contained guest
suite – a generous open plan
kitchen/family/dining zone that flows
seamlessly to an undercover outdoor
area just perfect for summer enter-
taining, whilst a semi-closed lounge
creates opportunity to relax or cud-
dle up with a movie in the evenings.
At the heart of this well-appointed
home is a breathtaking gourmet
kitchen, enhanced by a walk-
through scullery which performs as
a second wet zone and extends stor-
age.
Easily accessible from the main
living areas, the central bathroom
features his and hers sinks, and a
walk-in tiled shower.
A glorious master bedroom is the
height of luxury with two separate
walk-through wardrobes leading to
a state-of-the-art ensuite with dual
basins, walk-in tiled shower as well
as a separate toilet.
Storage abounds with a double
garage, spacious store room and
numerous cupboards and storage
options embedded throughout the
house.
Based on the Downton, clients
are welcome to pick, choose and
customise their dream home to their
heart’s desire. With professionalism,
quality and transparency among
Platinum Homes’ core values, the
team guides clients each step of the
way for a seamless, hassle-free pro-
cess.
The Downton showhome is now
open for viewing 7 days, so call in
today at:
6 Twomey Drive, Pukekohe
Phone 09 238 7777
E: counties@platinumhomes.co.nz
W: www.platinumhomes.co.nz
Open Weekdays 10am-4pm
Weekends 11am-4pm
Experience the Platinum
lifestyle in Pukekohe
ADVERTORIAL SC3692
Over the past few years many
Aucklanders keen to purchase a
home at friendlier prices than the
inner city, have seen the poten-
tial in Franklin with its mix of old
and new, urban and rural.
In particular new hous-
ing developments at Pokeno,
Tuakau, and Patumahoe as well
as Waiuku, has attracted strong
attention. However, while there
has been a surge of growth in
urban housing and also lifestyle
blocks, Franklin is by no means
a new settlement.
In fact, the first immigrant
farmers date back to the early
1840s and before that the region
was occupied by Maori tribes.
Indeed, it has a colourful his-
tory being part of the Auckland
area attacked during the musket
war period of 1807-1843 by the
northern tribes. As the number of
settlers grew, the bush-covered
Pukekohe area was opened up
and from about 1843, individual
farmers began purchasing small
blocks of land which they cleared
by hand. By 1863 there were an
increasing number of small iso-
lated farms but when Kingitanga
Maori refused to swear an oath
of allegiance to the crown, many
settlers moved out of the area.
As tensions increased, nearly all
of the Pukekohe area was aban-
doned apart from military out-
posts. Despite being only a few
miles south of Auckland, Frank-
lin was initially a New Zealand
territorial authority lying between
the Auckland metropolitan area
and the Waikato Plains.
It was abolished as a formal
territory on October 31, 2010
and divided between Auckland
Council in the Auckland Region
and Waikato and Hauraki dis-
tricts in the Waikato Region.
The Auckland portion is now
part of the Franklin ward, which
also includes rural parts of the
former Manukau City. Areas
such as Pokeno and Tuakau fall
under Waikato District Council.
Bounded in the north by the
start of the Auckland metropoli-
tan area and the waters of the
Manukau Harbour, this lovely
area stretches up the Awhitu Pen-
insula along the Tasman coast to
the mouth of the harbour. Penin-
sula holiday spots, such as Kari-
otahi Beach, Matakawau, Big
Bay and Orua Bay attract visitors
and locals alike while some peo-
ple (other than famers) have also
built permanent homes taking
advantage of lovely rural views
and seascapes.
To the south, Franklin is
bounded by the fertile lowlands
of the Waikato Plains. In the
east, the land rises to the Hunua
Ranges, then falls to the coast of
the Firth of Thames. In the west
is the Tasman Sea.
The Waikato River mouth is at
Port Waikato, south of the region.
This is renowned as a good place
for surfcasting and has its own
unique community.
While the area supports both
farming and horticulture, Frank-
lin’s settlements have boomed
in recent times with Pukekohe,
Waiuku, Tuakau, Pokeno, Karaka
and other areas growing rapidly.
New Zealand Steel’s steel mill
at Glenbrook, north of Waiuku
has long been a major industry in
the area but now new industries
are beginning to flourish with
more in the pipeline, particularly
at Pokeno.
New housing subdivisions
within and around Pukekohe
township are also in the throes
of development or are sched-
uled for the near future to meet
growing demand for both lifestyle
properties and desirable residen-
tial living.
–
Design & Build Franklin
From past to future
While Franklin is enjoying housing and industry booms, nevertheless
the wider district is still largely devoted to horticulture and agriculture with
many unspoiled parts attracting holidaymakers and sports enthusiasts.
Despite its new growth, the district has a long history.
SC3719
Times Newspapers supplement, Thursday, March 24, 2016
SHOWCASING PUKEKOHE & BEYOND — 3